7 October, 2023 | Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary

 Gospel Lk 1:26-38

Learning to say the Rosary? (click here)

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin's name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.

Reflections:

The feast of Our Lady of the  Rosary takes us to the life of Mary, our mother. God invited her  to participate in his salvific plan. He called her to enter into a relationship with Him.. Mary is the first one to experience this miraculous spiritual intimacy with the triune God. This privilege had its own responsibility. Mary was called to bear a child before she was married. The assurance of the angel “Do not be afraid” gives us a glimpse into the risky situation Mary would be in, as she accepted God’s call.

Mary just believed. She did not question; she did not argue. When we recognize that our life is planned by God, we realize that God’s plan always corresponds to our heart’s deepest desires. And this gradually brings us fulfillment and joy. As we reflect on the actions of God in Mary’s life we affirm “nothing is impossible with God.”

Activity:  

Take a spiritual invitation you have  received from God, seriously